SPORTS BRIEFING | DRUG TESTING; Player Unions Wary of H.G.H. Test

By KEN BELSON

Published: February 25, 2010

The disclosure that Major League Baseball will begin testing for human growth hormone in the minor leagues this year prompted the player unions for baseball and the N.F.L. to issue statements Wednesday that they remained skeptical about the efficacy of current testing but were open to the possibility of successful tests in the future.

The Major League Baseball Players Association also said that blood testing for H.G.H. was more problematic than using urine samples. It added that the positive blood test for H.G.H. of a British rugby player, announced Monday, ''does not scientifically validate a drug test.'' The N.F.L. Players Association said it looked forward to discussing with the league its proposed blood-testing program.

The rugby player's suspension marked the first time an athlete was publicly identified for testing positive for H.G.H.